Black Iris Gallery · Richmond, Virginia

Your exhibition,
from setup to sold.

A practical guide to preparing, hanging and promoting your show at Black Iris. Start with your dates, plan your walls, and arrive ready for First Friday.

Plan your installationArtist resources

321 West Broad Street · Richmond, VA 23220

01 / Your exhibition schedule

Monday is your installation day.

Monday before First Friday

Arrive early and plan to finish hanging your exhibition by approximately 6 p.m. Confirm your arrival and access arrangements with our team in advance.

Tuesday, by prior arrangement

A second day is available for more complicated installations only when confirmed ahead of time. If another event is scheduled, the room must be cleared and cleaned even if your hanging is not yet complete.

First Friday

Be on site by approximately 3 p.m. to make final adjustments, check labels and pricing, and prepare to welcome visitors. Confirm the public reception hours for your show.

Closing & removal

Plan teardown for the last Sunday before the next First Friday. This normally coincides with the closing reception and sold-art pickup; confirm the exact reception, pickup and removal windows with our team.

Plan the full cycle. For a show opening Friday, October 2, 2026, the usual installation dates are Monday, September 28 and, if approved, Tuesday, September 29. Its usual teardown date is Sunday, November 1, before the November 6 First Friday. This example is a planning guide, not a booking confirmation.

02 / Before you arrive

Bring the work. Bring a plan.

Send your exhibition materials

  • Artist name, exhibition title, artist statement and a featured image for promotion.
  • A complete artwork inventory with title, image, description, medium, dimensions and price.
  • A printable 8½ × 11-inch pricing sheet with an image, description and price for each work. We print these for visitors to carry around the gallery.
  • Completed wall labels using the gallery’s 5 × 7-inch format.
  • Any proposed artist talks, closing-reception plans, delivery needs or unusual installation requirements.

Confirm your installation

  • Your signed artist agreement and required liability acknowledgment before setup and ladder use.
  • Your Monday arrival time, helpers and any requested Tuesday work.
  • Your assigned gallery walls and the approved method for each surface.
  • Any tools to check out and any furniture you need moved.

You are responsible for hanging your show and bringing someone capable of safely doing the installation. Black Iris provides tools and guidance to support you.

03 / Protect the work and the space

Know the wall before you hang.

No nails in plaster. Use the picture rail on all plaster surfaces. Ask our team to identify any wall you are unsure about before installing hardware. Do not move furniture or anything else in the venue without permission.

Front vestibule
Two artwork positions near the front. Confirm the placement and hanging method for your pieces.
Main gallery · west plaster wall
Use the picture rail; no nails or holes. The rail is approximately 16 feet high.
Main gallery · east side
The east side includes the stairwell section and a plaster-wall section. Plaster requires the picture rail. Nails may be used only in confirmed drywall, with full restoration at teardown.
Back gallery wall
Drywall. The picture rail is preferred; nails may be used if necessary, and all holes must be patched and restored.
Beside the stage
Do not hang artwork on the west wall to the right when facing the stage, where performers could strike it. Artwork may be displayed on the back wall; agree placement with the team.
Hall Gallery
Four wall runs measured at approximately 16, 7, 5 and 4 linear feet. Confirm your allocated walls, usable space and hanging surfaces on site.

Tools available

Picture-rail wires and hooks, a ladder, basic tools and levels are available. Two laser levels can be checked out: a tripod-mounted 360-degree level and an adjustable single-beam level. Arrange access with our team.

Lay it out first

Arrange your protected artwork along the floor against its intended wall before hanging. Move pieces around until the spacing and sequence feel right, then begin installation. Keep routes clear while you work.

05 / Downloads & design resources

Your exhibition toolkit.

Artist agreement

Request the current blank artist agreement from Jeff before installation. Your completed agreement confirms the terms for your exhibition.

Request artist agreement

5 × 7 artwork labels

Use the Canva wall-card example for your title, artist name, medium, dimensions, price and short description. Make your own copy and replace all sample details. Keep the established page size and typography.

Use artwork-label template

Exhibition poster

Start from the Shep Roeper poster example. Make a copy, replace the sample artwork, artist, statement, show title and dates, then send the proof to Black Iris before printing.

Use poster template

Richmond publicity guide

Public media contacts, event-listing websites and a press-packet checklist for promoting your exhibition.

Download publicity guide (PDF)

06 / Invite Richmond in

Give your show a story.

Share your exhibition before First Friday and throughout the month: featured pieces, your process, artist talks and the closing reception. Use clear dates and confirmed public hours in every listing.

Tag Black Iris, First Fridays, Richmond Arts District and RVA Magazine in relevant posts. Confirm each organization’s current account on the platform before tagging.

Your own channels

Create a Facebook event, invite your audience and share the gallery’s posts. Coordinate any Eventbrite listing with Black Iris so dates, capacity and registration details stay consistent.

Calendar listings and press coverage are subject to each publisher’s rules and review. Confirm fees before choosing any paid placement.

07 / Opening night

Be ready by 3 p.m.

Make yourself easy to find

Wear a name tag with your name and “Artist.” Check the artwork, labels and pricing sheets before visitors arrive. Be present, approachable and ready to talk about the work.

Tell the story behind the work

One or two short artist talks can help visitors connect with your exhibition. Schedule these with us in advance so we can introduce you. A knowledgeable friend or art educator can also help guests understand the work and identify pieces they love.

08 / From interest to purchase

We handle checkout at the bar.

  1. Inventory first. We enter your artwork into the point-of-sale system using the information you provide.
  2. Record the selection. The buyer completes the sales slip identifying the artwork and price, then takes it to the bar to pay.
  3. Mark it sold. We add a sold sticker and record the buyer’s contact information.
  4. Arrange pickup. Buyers usually collect at the closing reception. Delivery or professional hanging for larger works can be discussed and arranged separately.
  5. Confirm receipt. Every sold piece must be received and signed off. If you deliver it, return the signed receipt so we have a record of the handover.

Artist payment

Allow at least one week following your event for payment, subject to confirmed delivery and signed receipt of all sold works. Payment is typically by check; a wire transfer may be arranged depending on the amount. Confirm the commission, fees and final settlement terms in your artist agreement.

09 / Leave the gallery ready

Plan repairs into teardown day.

  • Coordinate the closing reception, buyer pickups and your removal window with Black Iris.
  • Remove your work and installation materials within the agreed window.
  • Patch and repair all holes and restore the walls to their original condition.
  • Use only Black Iris-approved black gallery paint for touch-ups and repairs. Paint is available on takedown day.
  • Clear packing materials and leave the space clean for the next artist.
  • Return checked-out tools and provide signed receipts for any artwork you delivered.

Let’s get your show ready

Confirm the details with Jeff.

Send your exhibition month, installation plan and any special requests before you arrive.

Email Jeff

(734) 652-1846 · Explore the gallery